Kansas City Royals: Five Players With Most to Prove in 2017

Jun 25, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) celebrates with teammate Eric Hosmer (35) after hitting a solo home run against the Houston Astros during the sixth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

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Kansas City Royals outfielder Alex Gordon (4) -Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

ROYALS WITH THE MOST TO PROVE – NUMBER 2: ALEX GORDON

I debated putting Alex Gordon at number one on here, but he lands at the number two spot. Gordon, coming off a freshly inked five-year deal that was the largest contract in Royals history, did not perform to anyone’s liking in 2016.

Sure, he was still clutch defensively, but the former Cornhusker was atrocious at the plate for the boys in blue. His final average on the year was an abysmal .220 and his strikeout numbers were the highest they were during his entire career (148).

If he can get back his hot-hitting abilities that he did during the Royals’ World Series runs, then Alex Gordon will become a hero again for Royals fans.

The strikeout numbers are even more puzzling when you take into account that Gordon missed a month of the season with a wrist injury.

Despite the struggles, Gordon did smash 17 home runs and looked to have more power than he did in 2015. If he can get back his hot-hitting abilities that he did during the Royals’ World Series runs, then Alex Gordon will become a hero again for Royals fans.

If he falters again in 2017, his contract will become one of the worst deals in franchise history. That’s just not something Kansas City Royals fans want to have to admit.

So yeah, the pressure is on for Alex Gordon this season. He’s second on this list. Who has the most pressure on them this year?

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